Saudi Arabia launches military operation against Houthi rebels in Yemen

Saudi Arabia confirmed launching a military operation against Houthi rebels in Yemen.

According to Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi ambassador to the US, the operation, which includes air strikes, was being carried out to defend the “legitimate government” of Yemini president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi﻿, who was forced to flee from capital Sanaa in February.

The Shia rebels, who are believed to be backed by Iran, have made significant gains in the past few months.

The Saudi announcement comes after Hadi appealed for intervention from neighboring countries.